What is the lived experience of recently diagnosed persons living with diabetes as a chronic disease? : an interpretative phenomenological analysis study

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is the third highest chronic disease in Malta. It is a complex, metabolic condition that causes considerable psychological problems. The aim of this study is to explore the lived experience of four individuals who have been diagnosed within the past two years, and are living with type II diabetes. The study explores the following research questions: What does it mean to be diagnosed with diabetes? What are the daily struggles, if any? These experiences were triangulated with their partners' perception of how these individuals are coping. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with the participants. The partners were interviewed separately from the participants. The data was later analysed through an interpretative phenomenological approach. The emerging narratives revealed that life with diabetes was not a simple avoidance of sugary foods - existential fears also emerged. The participants struggled to maintain healthy blood glucose levels and dietary restrictions. Strategies of how the participants coped, such as lifestyle changes and increased exercise are presented. Meanwhile, although acceptance of their limitations was already evident at the time of conducting the interviews, thoughts of future complications were present. The participants' resilience, meaning-making, and benefit-finding, also emerged. The implications of this study, the limitations involved, as well as the recommendations for future work and research, were presented.